Thailand's armed forces staged a coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra late Tuesday, deploying tanks around his Bangkok offices and taking control of television broadcasts. Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin led the takeover, with a televised announcement declaring that a newly formed 'Council of Administrative Reform' had assumed authority over Bangkok and surrounding provinces, with King Bhumibol Adulyadej as head of state. Martial law was declared.
Thaksin was in New York attending the UN General Assembly when the coup occurred. He responded by declaring a state of emergency through a state-owned broadcaster. The prime minister had been facing mounting pressure to resign over allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
At least 14 tanks encircled Government House, Thaksin's official office. A column of armored vehicles drove through a busy Bangkok commercial area, using loudspeakers to urge civilians off the streets.
Military forces arrested two senior Thaksin allies: Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya. Chitchai agreed to step down following his detention, according to an army general who spoke anonymously.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in September 2006, in its own words.